28 November 2025
On a vibrant November evening in Mumbai, the OSCAR Foundation family came together to celebrate 15 years of transforming lives through football and education. From the moment guests began taking their seats, the energy in the hall was electric, children in costume, proud parents, coaches, trustees, partners, and supporters all gathered to honour a journey that began on a small playground and has now touched thousands of young lives across India.
The event was anchored by youth leaders and programme alumni like Govind, Manju, Yamini, and Vishnu, whose warmth and confidence on stage reflected OSCAR’s core belief: when young people are trusted with responsibility, they rise to it.
The evening opened with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony led by Founder Ashok Rathod and honoured guests, symbolising hope, new beginnings, and the light OSCAR brings into communities. A graceful welcome dance by children from Goregaon followed, showcasing weeks of practice and teamwork, and reminding everyone how art and sport together can build confidence and joy.
Music soon took over the stage, as children from Badhwar Park performed alongside the Manzil Mystics team, a music-focused NGO that, like OSCAR, uses creativity as a tool for life skills and social change. Their songs carried messages of unity, courage, and hope, setting the emotional tone for the rest of the night.
One of the centrepieces of the evening was a powerful skit that traced OSCAR’s journey, from a small initiative started in Cuffe Parade to a multi-state programme working with children and youth across Mumbai, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Daman & Diu, and beyond. Through humour, dialogue, and reflection, children themselves narrated how “Education with a Kick” became a movement that now reaches over 15,000 children, using football to keep them in school and build life skills.
The skit led seamlessly into the launch of OSCAR’s Coffee Table Book, unveiled by Founder Ashok Rathod and special dignitaries. The book captures stories from the last 15 years, of communities transforming, girls stepping onto the pitch for the first time, and young leaders returning as role models and coaches. Later, a documentary screened during the programme offered a more intimate look at OSCAR’s impact, weaving together scenes from training grounds, classrooms, home visits, and international exposure tours.
A highlight of the evening was the “Let’s Celebrate our OSCAR Community Changemakers” segment, where children, young leaders, and programme teams from different regions were honoured on stage.
These awards were presented in the presence of Founder Ashok Rathod and honoured chief guests including His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, Harjinder Kang, reflecting OSCAR’s deep and growing relationships with international partners.
Parents then took the stage in a moving “Voices of OSCAR from the Past” segment, sharing how their daughters found confidence, identity, and opportunity through OSCAR’s programmes. Their stories highlighted the sacrifices families make and the trust they place in OSCAR, waking up early for training, balancing school and sport, and allowing girls to travel, lead, and dream differently.
The programme also revisited one of OSCAR’s most transformative initiatives: the UK football tour. Since 2017, more than 150 children have travelled abroad through this initiative, many holding a passport for the first time in their families. As Ashok shared, children return not just with photos and souvenirs, but with expanded horizons, new friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose about what is possible in their lives.
Throughout the evening, a series of high-energy dance performances showcased the diversity and spirit of different OSCAR centres, Madanpura, Mankhurd, Colaba (Cuffe Parade), and Goregaon/Selva. Each performance was rooted in its community’s story:
A live musical performance later in the evening brought everyone together once more, children, parents, staff, and guests swaying, clapping, and singing, embodying the sense of family that defines OSCAR.
Throughout the night, OSCAR’s leadership and partners were acknowledged from the stage. COO Dr. Shilpi Sharma spoke about the vision and systems that have helped OSCAR scale with integrity, while trustees and advisors reaffirmed their commitment to building a world where all children and youth have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Distinguished guests and supporters, including development professionals, CSR leaders, investors, and friends of OSCAR from India and abroad, were thanked for walking alongside the organisation, whether through funding, technical expertise, volunteering, or advocacy. Their presence reinforced that OSCAR’s work is not a standalone effort but part of a wider ecosystem of sport for development.
The evening closed with a heartfelt vote of thanks from Founder Ashok Rathod, who reflected on the last 15 years while looking ahead to the next chapter: deepening impact in existing communities, expanding inclusive sport programmes, and nurturing the next generation of young leaders who will carry the torch forward.
As the lights dimmed, one thing was clear: this anniversary was not just a celebration of what OSCAR has achieved, but a powerful reminder of what becomes possible when children are given a ball, a safe space, and someone who believes in them.